---
kind: "section"
citation: "7 C.F.R. § 614.9"
title: "7"
number: "614.9"
heading: "Program decisions."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/7/614.9"
---

# §614.9. Program decisions.

- (a) **Program decisions are final upon receipt of the program decision notice by the participant.** Program decisions include all decisions issued by NRCS for programs that NRCS administers separate from the HELC/WC provisions. The participant has the following options for appeal of the program decision:
  - (1) An informal hearing before NRCS as provided for in [paragraph (b)](#b) through [paragraph (d)](#d) of this section;
  - (2) Mediation as provided for in [§ 614.11](/cfr/7/614.11.md);
  - (3) An informal hearing before the FSA county committee pursuant to [7 CFR part 780](/cfr/7/part780.md) if the program decision is made under Title XII; or
  - (4) **A hearing before NAD pursuant to 7 CFR part 11.**
- (b) A program participant must file an appeal request for a hearing with the appropriate State Conservationist as indicated in the decision notice within 30 calendar days from the date the participant received the program decision.
- (c) The State Conservationist may accept a hearing request that is untimely filed under [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section if the State Conservationist determines that circumstances warrant such an action.
- (d) The State Conservationist will hold a hearing no later than 30 days from the date the appeal request was received. The State Conservationist will issue a written final decision no later than 30 days from the close of the hearing.
- (e) NRCS will provide notice of the right to appeal to NAD on program decisions when equitable relief is denied by the Chief or the State Conservationist.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 5 U.S.C. 301; 7 U.S.C. 6932 and 6995; and 16 U.S.C. 3822(a).

### Source

Source: 77 FR 34190, June 11, 2012, unless otherwise noted.